Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Record is Archived

    This article is now archived and is closed to further replies.

    Scott Adams
    Scott Adams

    Celiac Disease and the Catholic Church's Position Regarding Communion

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    Ernesto Guifaldes, M.D. of the Pontificia Unicersidad Catolica de Chile has sent me much information, is particularly knowledgeable in this area. If you have any questions about this subject, please contact Ernesto at: Open Original Shared Link

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    The following is a letter dated March 10, 1996, and was sent to the Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences from the Vatican. It represents the official position of the Catholic Church with regard to gluten and the Eucharist.

    Your Eminence/Excellency:

    In recent years, this Dicastery has followed closely the development of the question of the use of low-gluten altar breads and mustum as matter for the celebration of the Eucharist.

    After careful study, conducted in collaboration with a number of concerned Episcopal Conferences, this Congregation in its ordinary session of June 22, 1994 has approved the following norms, which I am pleased to communicate:

    • I. Concerning permission to use low-gluten altar breads:
      • A. This may be granted by Ordinaries to priests and lay persons affected by celiac disease, after presentation of a medical certificate.
      • Conditions for the validity of the matter:
        • 1) Special hosts quibus glutinum ablatum est are invalid matter for the celebration of the Eucharist;
        • 2) Low-gluten hosts are valid matter, provided that they contain the amount of gluten sufficient to obtain the confection of bread, that there is no addition of foreign materials, and that the procedure for making such hosts is not such as to alter the nature of the substance of the bread.
    • II. Concerning permission to use mustum:
      • A. The preferred solution continues to be Communion per intinctionem, or in concelebration under the species of bread alone.
      • B. Nevertheless, the permission to use mustum can be granted by Ordinaries to priests affected by alcoholism or other conditions which prevent the ingestion of even the smallest quantity of alcohol, after the presentation of a medical certificate.
      • C. By mustum is understood fresh juice from grapes, or juice preserved by suspending its fermentation (by means of freezing of other methods which do not alter its nature).
      • D. In general, those who have received permission to use the mustum are prohibited from presiding at concelebrated Masses. There may be some exceptions however: in the case of a Bishop or Superior General; or, with prior approval of the Ordinary, at the celebration of the anniversary of priestly ordination or other similar occasions. In these cases, the one who presides is to communicate under both the species of bread and that of the mustum, while for the other concelebrants a chalice shall be provided in which normal wine is to be consecrated.
      • E. In the very rare instances of lay persons requesting this permission, recourse must be made to the Holy See.
    • III. Common Norms:
      • A. The Ordinary must ascertain that the matter used conforms to the above requirements.
      • B. Permissions are to be given only for as long as the situation continues which motivated the request.
      • C. Scandal is to be avoided.
      • D. Given the centrality of the celebration of the Eucharist in the life of the priest, candidates for the priesthood who are affected by celiac disease of suffer from alcoholism of similar conditions may not be admitted to Holy Orders.
      • E. Since the doctrinal questions in this area have now been decided, disciplinary competence is entrusted to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
      • F. Concerned Episcopal Conferences shall report to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments every two years regarding the application of these norms.

    With warm regards and best wishes, I am Sincerely yours in Christ.

    line.gif

    The leader of the fight for Celiacs in the Catholic Church has recently died. Archbishop Derek Worlock of Liverpool was diagnosed in the 1980s with celiac disease and presented a strong case in Rome for celiac sufferers to be allowed to receive special hosts at Communion, which was reluctantly granted. He died of lung cancer on February 8, 1996.



    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Guest ian ball

    Posted

    Maybe I'm a little slow, but the solution to this problem seems so simple to me, receive communion from the cup instead...

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Netta
    Maybe I'm a little slow, but the solution to this problem seems so simple to me, receive communion from the cup instead...

    I receive only the Precious Blood at communion, easy.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Mary

    I was taught that the bread and wine actually changed into the body (flesh) and blood of Jesus and that this was an article of faith. To be a member of the Catholic Church you must believe this. Confusing though.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Glyn

    Surely, as the host is converted to the actual substance of the body of Our Lord, it will no longer contain gluten and be entirely safe. Your correspondents must be in error.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Guest
    This is now closed for further comments

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate
  • About Me

    Scott Adams

    Scott Adams was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1994, and, due to the nearly total lack of information available at that time, was forced to become an expert on the disease in order to recover. In 1995 he launched the site that later became Celiac.com to help as many people as possible with celiac disease get diagnosed so they can begin to live happy, healthy gluten-free lives.  He is co-author of the book Cereal Killers, and founder and publisher of the (formerly paper) newsletter Journal of Gluten Sensitivity. In 1998 he founded The Gluten-Free Mall which he sold in 2014. Celiac.com does not sell any products, and is 100% advertiser supported.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Related Articles

    Wendy Cohan, RN
    Celiac.com 02/21/2011 - After reading this new book by celiac nurse specialist Shelly Stuart, RN, what shines through above all is her true understanding of the complex nature of gluten-related illnesses, and her heartfelt compassion for patients who suffer from them. Her book is extremely well researched and documented. As a registered nurse and celiac herself,  Ms. Stuart is able to use her strong patient teaching experience to clearly educate the reader about even very complicated subjects. She provides excellent explanations of leaky gut and the pathophysiology of celiac disease, and she is one of the first clinicians to write in-depth about non-celiac gluten intolerance.  Importantly, she makes the point that immune mediated reactions can and do occur in non-celiac gluten intolerance, ...


    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 07/07/2011 - With diagnosis for celiac disease and gluten intolerance growing by leaps and bounds, it's no wonder that the list of celebrities who eat gluten-free continues to grow as well.
    Like anyone else with celiac disease and gluten-intolerance, for celebrities and athletes who suffer from either condition, consuming gluten damages the lining of the small intestine and reduces absorption of important nutrients.
    People with celiac disease are more likely to have autoimmune disorders, Addison’s disease, Down syndrome, intestinal cancer, intestinal lymphoma, lactose intolerance, thyroid disease, and type-1 diabetes. In the United States, approximately 1 out of 133 people are diagnosed with celiac disease.
    A partial list of some noteworthy celebrities and athletes w...


    Gryphon Myers
    CBS Forces Celiac 'Blue Bloods' Actress to Take Leave of Absence
    Celiac.com 10/30/2012 - Many celiac sufferers have stories of discrimination and/or ignorance from coworkers, peers and employers but none have been quite as high profile as the current dispute between actress Jennifer Esposito and CBS. Esposito, a sufferer of celiac disease, plays one of the main characters in the CBS drama 'Blue Bloods'. After Esposito requested a reduced schedule to manage her condition, CBS took steps that have Esposito, her fans, and celiac sufferers everywhere rallying to her cause.
    The apparent point of contention between CBS and Esposito is the idea that celiac disease warrants special treatment (or perhaps that Esposito even has it). After the actress collapsed on set two months ago, her doctor recommended a significantly reduced work schedule. CBS was unwilling...


    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 02/14/2013 - Gluten-free tennis sensation Novak Djokovic's recent five set victory over Andy Murray at Melbourne Park makes him the first man in the 45-year Open era to win three consecutive Australian Opens.
    Since going gluten-free in 2010, after tests indicated that he suffered from gluten-intolerance, the 25-year-old Djokovic is undefeated at the Australian Open, and virtually unstoppable on the court.
    Following a high-protein, gluten-free diet, Djokovic now avoids most starches, including his past favorites, pizza and pasta. The Serbian tennis star credits the gluten-free diet with sharp improvements to his tennis and his health.
    “Mentally, you’ll be fresh, you’ll be happier, you’ll be calmer," said Djokovic. Physically, you’ll be stronger, faster, more dynamic, ...


  • Recent Activity

    1. - RMJ replied to marion wheaton's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      6

      Osteoporosis

    2. - trents replied to marion wheaton's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      6

      Osteoporosis

    3. - RMJ replied to marion wheaton's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      6

      Osteoporosis

    4. - trents replied to marion wheaton's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      6

      Osteoporosis

    5. - marion wheaton replied to marion wheaton's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      6

      Osteoporosis


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      126,438
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Wbymw
    Newest Member
    Wbymw
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.9k
    • Total Posts
      69.4k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):




  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Popular Now

    • marion wheaton
      6
    • Jula
  • Popular Articles

    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
  • Upcoming Events

×
×
  • Create New...